A tense situation unfolded early Sunday at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, as Dennis Idahosa, the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led party members in a protest demanding the removal of Governor Godwin Obaseki from the premises.

Idahosa, who was seen shouting outside the INEC office at around 3:30 am, questioned why Obaseki was present at the location where the final collation of the Edo State governorship election results was taking place.

Governor Obaseki reportedly entered the INEC office on Aduwawa Road under the cover of darkness and took a seat near the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) office, where results were being collated.

According to sources, Obaseki’s presence was linked to concerns that there were plans to tamper with the election results.

Idahosa and other APC members gathered outside the gate and demanded that Obaseki leave the premises, arguing that he had no official role at the collation centre.

“Obaseki must come out. He is not an INEC staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise,” Idahosa shouted.

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The APC protesters made several attempts to enter the premises but were blocked by security personnel, despite repeatedly banging on the gate.

At one point, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Frank Mba, arrived at the scene and went directly to where Obaseki was seated inside.

Earlier, the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, had led a group of PDP members to the INEC conference hall to protest what they claimed were plans to alter the election results in favour of the APC.

Iduoriyekemwen asserted that the PDP was on track for victory until they received reports of attempts to undermine their win.